Automatic musical instrument



July 17, 1934. G. Bl [LES 1,966,798

AUTOMATIC MUS ICAL INSTRUMENT Filed NOV. 25. 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet l July17, 1934. G B. [LES AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed NOV. 25, 1932 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. I 0.

206 /NVNTOR By yf/Rq/ @uw v- @um ATToRNExs July-17, 1934. G. B. ES1,966,798

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Nov. 25, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l, al/ acammmcumlxnmmmmmmmm f LJ W@ 5) (O) (O) Q0) (O) L Fig] @la S 73NVENTOR BY Wfl/gnu@ uf-MAM T TORNE X5 July 17, 1934. G, B. H EsAUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV. 25. 1932 By 77M@M+ x7/ZM Patented July 17, 1934 UNITED STATES gPATENT OFFICEApplication November 25, 1932, Serial No. 644,313 In Great BritainDecember 16, 1932 11 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic musical instruments such aspneumatic piano players and the like and to improved apparatus forenabling some note or notes to play at one pressure, while another noteor notes play simultaneously at another pressure, no matter where thegroup of notes is located in the compass of the piano.

The invention contemplates a novel form lof method and apparatus whichis noted for` its simplicity and compactness.

According to the present invention there is provided in for example apneumatic piano player adapted to strike notes With diierent degrees offorce, control apparatus so connected with cooperating note holes in thetracker bar that the changing over or altering of the exhaust tensionapplied to the pneumatic of a note hole is effected by the uncovering ofanother note hole which for this purpose functions as a control for theplaying power of the first mentioned note hole.

Thus according to the present invention there is provided in a pneumaticpiano player adapted to strike notes with different degrees of forcecontrol apparatus so connected with co-operating note holes in a trackerbar that a note hole when exposed by a perforation in the music roll iscapable of playing its own note, cancelling the playing power of anothernote hole, and changing over the degree of exhaust which may be applied`to a note of a further note hole. f*

With apparatus according to the present invention, an addition of onevalve for each note is made. By reason of their function these valveswill hereinafter be called selector valves.

The selector valves may themselves be similar to the striking pneumaticvalves used in the ordinary piano player. Their object is to determinewhether the striking pneumatic shall be actuated by the soft wind orheavy wind, or to alter the exhaust tension.

Each selector valve in certain constructions hereinafter described,places the ordinary valve of the player-piano which it controls incommunication with either of two wind ways, according asto whether it isin its normal position, or has been moved by its purse. These wind waysare charged with two distinct degrees of exhaust, and both may bevariable.

In another arrangement a common wind way is used whereby each note isgiven its own separate expression Vahle, that is to say, the playingforce of the note is controlled.

The accompanying drawings illustrate by way of example certain ways ofcarrying out the present invention. grammatic form.

In the drawings:-

Fig. 1 is a sectional View showing the tracker bar and control apparatusin the action rail or beam.

Fig. 2 a plan View of a music roll travelling downwards.

Figs. 3 and 4 views of selector valves and vacuum ducts. f,

Fig. 5 is a sectional View showing the tracker bar and a further form ofcontrol apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the action rail or beam shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of an entire as- 70 g sembly using acommon wind-way hereinafterreferred to.

f Fig. 8 shows a sectional view of another form of selector valve.

Figs. 9 and 10 are additional valves hereinafter referred to.

Figs. 1l and 12 are diagrammatic views of electro-pneumatic controlapparatus.

Fig. 13 is a view of a selecting valve which may All the views are indiabe used in the construction of Fig. 7.

Referring to Fig. 1, a is the tracker bar having note-holes b. c is anaction rail or beam, and d, d1, and e are chambers provided in theaction beam. f and g are rigid tubes passing centrally through thechambers d and d1 to the chamber e, each chamber e being common to apair of chamo bers d and d1 through the tubes f and g when the membranesh and h1 are drawn away from the tubes f and g` by reason of a degree ofexhaust in the chambers i and :i which correspond with the chambers dand d1. The chambers 7 Y' are all rendered common by means of a groovedrail 7c. The chambers z' and e are sealed with pneumatic clothl l. It isto be understood that each note hole has separate chambers d, d1, e, iand y' allotted thereto.

Each tube m leading from a note-hole b has branches m1 and m2, thebranch m1 leading to the chambers d and d1. From the chamber d1 there isa tube n. Y

The tube m2 is connected to the chamber i allotted to the chamber d ofthe note-hole next on the left looking from the front (that is to saythe bass side) and so on down the key-board from top to bottom.

-The tube o communicates with the purse chamber p (see Fig. 7) of thestriking pneumatic valve t of the note played by the particular notehole b shown, whereas the tube n communicates with the purse chamber qof the selecting valve s not foration 2a (Fig. 2).

corresponding to the striking pneumatic valve above mentioned, but tothe selecting valve governing the ordinary or striking pneumatic valvenext on the right (or in other words the next note on the treble side)and so on up the keyboard from bottom to top.

Fig. 2 shows a plan of part of a music roll r showing the accented andunaccented notes. The notes 1 are unaccented and the notes 2 and 2e areaccented and require accenting holes or perforations 3 and 3e.

As stated the notes 2 and 2a are accented notes, and the function of theselecting valves in certain constructional forms is to change over fromlight wind (lower exhaust) to heavy wind (higher exhaust).

To follow the operation of the apparatus assume two adjacent note holesb in the tracker bar.

Now assuming it is required that the perforation 3 must not play a notein order to prevent a dissonance. This is effected by the apparatus inFig. 1 in the following way.

Let it be assumed that by reason of suitable bleeds or vents all thetubes m are normally subject to exhaust, and the chambers 7' arenormally at atmospheric pressure.

The perforation 2e when it uncovers its cooperating hole b in thetracker bar a will send a pulse along the tube m. This pulse will bedivided and pass along m1 through the chambers d` and d1 to the tube nand thence to the purse chamber q of the selector valve s correspondingto the note that is played from a hole in the tracker bar on the righthand side of the per- There is however no perforation in the papercorresponding to this note hole in the tracker bar and consequently theaction is abortive. The chambers d and d1 are now charged with outerair.

The pulse passing through the tube m2 will fill the chamber icorresponding to the note hole uncovered by the perforation 3fL withouter air. This will cause the membrane h also corresponding to theperforation 3a to be inflated, thus sealing the corresponding tube f andpreventing any communication between the note hole uncovered by theperforation 3a and the purse chamber p of its corresponding strikingpneumatic valve t, the path from d to e, etc., being sealed as statedabove. The tube g is normally blocked by the membrane h1. The ability ofthe perforation 3a to strike anote is therefore removed.

It will be seen however that the pulse sent by the perforation 3av alongthe corresponding tube m1 can still pass into and through theappropriate tube n, and as all the tubes 11y work the selecting valves sof the notes next on the right or treble side, the selecting valvecontrolling the striking wind of the note-hole b uncovered by theperforation 2a will be operated, and the note corresponding to thisperforation will be accented that is to say played by wind of the othertension.

In the case of the striking of the notes corresponding to' theperforations 1, there is no operation of their own selecting valves, asthe perforations 3ct are absent. The fact that they themselves operatethe selecting valves of the notes next on the right to them besidesoperating their own notes is of no concern inasmuch as the notes next onthe right are not in action.

The fact that they also cancel the playing ability of the holes next onthe left is immaterial for the same reason.

It will be seen in. the particular example above described that theholes in the tracker bar are capable of three functions viz., (1) theyplay their own notes if permitted i. e., by operating the strikingpneumatic valve, (2) they cancel the playing ability of holes on theimmediate left, and (3) they change the degree of exhaust of notes ontheir immediate right, by moving the selector valves of such notes.

Further with this particular example, the one on the left (3 or 3a)automatically becomes an executive perforation, not being able to playitself, but serving to control the playing power of the right handperforation (2 or 2e) by means of the selecting valve of that note.

But when desired the perforation 3 or 3a may play a note as well asserving as an executive perforation. Now referring to Fig. l it will beseen that the chamber y' is similar for practical purposes to thechamber i, but that the chambers j are al1 connected by a common groovey. The chamber d1 is similar to the chamber d, so that it may be saidthat the lower half is a duplicate of the upper half of the device.

It is obvious that if the membrane h1 was drawn out, or open, it wouldnot matter whether the membrane h was open or closed.

All the membranes h1 are controlled collectively and normally they areclosed, the chambers 7' being filled with air through the groove y, thegroove being controlled by a valve of the usual kind operated from aspecial hole in the tracker bar.

When it is desired that a perforation (3 or 3e) shall play a nete inaddition to serving as an executive perforation, the membrane h1 will beopened by subjecting the chamber j to exhaust, so that the pulse throughm1, d and d1 from the uncovering by a perforation (3 or Se) of thenotehole b in the tracker bar, will also pass into the chamber e andtube o by way of the tube g, al-

though the tube f in the chamber d has been sealed by the pulse passingdown the tube m2 cooperating With the note-hole uncovered by theperforation (2 or 2a) into the chamber i controlling the opening andclosing of the membrane h.

Now referring to Figs. 3 and 4 it will be observed that the low degreeof exhaust (soft wind) is admitted through a fly-valve 58 from a windway59, and the high degree of exhaust (heavy wind) from the wind-way 57a.channel-ways leading to the isolated chambers 53h of the strikingpneumatic valves.

The passage-way 60 is connected to the tube u (Fig. 1).

When the selector device according to Fig. 3 is used the effect of aperforation 3 or 3a will be to render a note 2 or 2a unaccented, as theselector valve s will be moved to raise the valve s and shut off theheavy wind and the ily-valve is automatically opened so that the softwind is effective. The selector device according to Fig. 4 will functionin the reverse manner, as the selector valve s will be raised to open upthe heavy wind and shut off the soft wind. It will be understoodtherefore that the function of the tubes n is to move the selectorvalves so as to accent a note, or to cause a note which in the ordinaryway would be accented to be played as a nonaccented or accompanyingnote.

It will be clear that in the exemplary forms illustrated moreparticularly by Figs. l and 5 that if the perforations 3 or 3- are toserve to accent the note, the selector valves will be in accordance withthat shown by Fig. 4. But I 53 indicate llO enter them at the side.

wish it understood that I in no way confine myselfjto the selectorvalves shown by these views, as any other suitable form may be used. Asan example of another form of selector valve reference is directed toFig. 8.

In this view striking pneumatic valve t, has an isolated chamber 53h, aduct 70 connecting this chamber to the chamber 7l of the feeding orselector valve s. p is the striking pneumatic'valve purse chamber and qthe selector valve purse chamber. 57 and 59 are common ducts for the twokindskv of exhaust. 72 is a duct connecting the striking pneumatic valveto the pneumatic 73. It may here be stated that the striking pneumaticvalves t shown in Fig. 7 have similar or other suitable connections tothe pneumatic.

v. 74 (Fig. 8) indicate seatings for the selecting valve, and 75 (Figs.7 and 8) seatings for the striking ypneumatic valve. 76 indicate bleedholes. '78 is a small membrane which counteracts the exhaust pull on theupper surface of the selector valve.

, In Fig. 8 the perforations 3 or 3EL serve to change over from lightwind to heavy wind, it

being assumed that the higher exhaust is in 57.

' Figs. 5 and 6, show an arrangement in which the branch tubes m1 and m2(Fig. 1) are dispensed with. In this construction the tube m leads intothe chamber d. A series of diagonally arranged channels or passages 100are provided in the upper part of the action beam which channels `takethe place of the branch tubes m2 and each channel forms a communicationbetween the chamber e of one note hole b and the chamber i of anothernote hole. The channels are sealed, together with the chamber e, by anysuitable means.

In the construction illustrated by Fig. l the control apparatus is soarranged that a note hole when exposed by a perforation in the musicroll operates the striking pneumatic valve of its own note, ifpermitted, cancels the playing power of another note hole, and operatesthe purse of a selector valve to change over the degree of exhaust whichmay be applied to a note of a further note hole, whereas in theconstruction illustrated by Fig. 5 the parts are so arranged that a notehole when exposed can only cancel the playing power of another note holewhen it is permitted to operate the striking pneumatic valve purse ofits own note. Thus in the exemplary form shown by Fig. 5, thecancellation of the playing powers of one note hole of a pair carrieswith it, the cancellation of the note cancelling powers of the same notehole, the playing power of which has been cancelled.

Now referring to Fig. '7 the purse chambers p of the striking pneumaticvalves t are of the usual round form, the holes 50 that are drilled tosupply them are preferably bored so as to By such a designing allowanceis made for independent holes 51 being drilled through the purse rail 52between each purse chamber.

The isolated chamber 53b of each striking vpneumatic valve, whichchamber is situated above the purse chamber p is enlarged so as toinclude the holes 5l.

The independent holes 51 form the ducts through which the isolatedchambers are sup vplied with exhaust tension.

Immediately below the holes 51 are other purse chambers q in a lowerpurse rail 55.

The purses 56 covering the purse chambers q are fitted with palletvalves s which close the independent holes 51 when inflated.

The space or channel between the lower purse rail 55 and the rail 52forms a common windway 57.

The ordinary striking pneumatic valve isolated chambers are normallysupplied with high tension exhaust from the common wind-way through theindependent hole drilled to each chamber.

The isolated chambers 53b of the striking pneumatic valve are separatedfrom the common wind-way 57 when the pallet valves s (selector valves)mounted on the purses 56 are raised to close the independent holes 51.

In the particular construction described with reference to Fig. 7 of theaccompanying drawings there is only need as hereinafter explained forone common wind-way in each tier of the chest, as is thecase with theordinary pianoplayer. But it is to be understood that the chambers 53bmay be in communication under valve control with two wind-ways asillustrated by Figs. 3 and 4.

It will have been noted that the control perforation of a pair ofperforations, closes the independent hole or supply duct 51 supplyingthe the purses are striking pneumatic valve of the other or note`Assuming that the normal playing is loud the later the controlperforation arrives, so the note perforation will playloud until a pointis reached when the control perforation is so far back that the noteperforation is given full time to act completely before any action ofthe control perforation, and consequent shutting off of 53b from 57 cantake place. When the point above` mentioned is reached, it is not ofcourse necessary to have a control perforation at all.

If the arrangement is such that the effect of a control perforation isto open a .supply duct instead of closing one as above, the converse ofthe expression control explained above will apply; hence noteperforations having no control perforation will play at their softestwhile the later a control perforation arrives at the trackerbar inrelation to a note perforation, so the note will play softer; themaximum loudness being obtained when both note perforation and controlperforation are in dead alignment.

.In certain cases when for reasons of space,

the chest must be made in a very compact form,

it may be found that notes will tend to fail when they are arranged toplay very softly.

This is due to the fact that with a very soft note, the strikingpneumatic valve, is designated to function at the samev time as theselector valve s is actuated.

If as was stated above, kkthe construction is.

One way is to provide a small hole 300 drilled through the upper purserail into each isolated chamber (one only is shown in Fig. 7) so thateach chamber is in commonication with the common Wind-way, to a slightextent, even when the supply ducts 51 are closed. Alternatively a smallhole 301 may be drilled through the selecting valve itself as shown inFig. 13 so long as the purse is not interfered with.

It is to be noted that a tracker bar of normal kind is used.

In the specincation of my prior Patent No. 1,878,706 of 1932 there isdescribed a fluid actuated expanding valve (chimney valve) employed toactuate the striking pneumatics of a piano player to strike notes withdifferent force by subjecting the pneumatics to different degrees ofexhaust.

The present invention will now be described with respect to such a iluidactuated expanding valve which obviates the use of selector valves suchas s, by functioning as a change over valve.

One way consists in leading the tube n to a change over mechanismconsisting of a membrane valve, shown in Fig. 9, with which each note issupplied. Each tube n is led not to the membrane valve of itscorresponding note-hole, but to the membrane valve of the note-hole itis intended to control.

Each tube o is led to a joint branching into two tubes 200 and 201, onetube 200 is led through the membrane valve 202 or its own particularnote and thence by the tube 204 to the lower purse chamber of theexpanding valve shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings accompanying thespecification of my prior application. The other tube 201 is led directinto the upper purse chamber of said expanding valve.

Now considering a pair of perforations in the music roll, the noteplaying properties of the perforation 3a will be cancelled as previouslystated by the perforation 2e. The perforation 3a will through n move themembrane 203 of the valve 202 belonging to the note-hole of theperforation 2e, so as to block the tube 204, with the result that theair passing down the tube o by the uncovering of the notehole by theperforation 2 will be prevented from entering 204, but will pass along201 to the upper purse of the expanding valve. Assuming that the uppercommon wind-way of the expanding valve is charged with soft wind thenote played will not be accented.

Now assuming a perforation 2a alone. The air in the tube o will passthrough both tubes 200 and 201 to the lower and upper purse chambers ofthe expanding valve, the diaphragm 203 being open by reason of theexhaust in the chamber 205 of the membrane valve. Both purses of theexpanding valve will be actuated. But the effect of the upper purse(soft Wind) will be overcome by the effect of the lower purse (heavywind) and the note will play as an accented note.

A more elaborate form of control may be provided which allows for eithersoft or loud notes to be caused by an adjacent perforation in the musicroll, as desired. With this arrangement an additional valve shown byFig. 10 is inserted in the tube 201.

This additional valve has a purse 206, the purse chamber of which isalso connected to the tube n. It is to be noted that the valve 207 isclosed when the purse chamber is under suction. The chamber 208 is incommunication with the tube 201. The outlet 209 from the valve leads tothe upper purse of the expanding valve.

With such an arrangement the tube o resolves not into either 201 only,or 201 and 200 as in Fig. 9, but into either 20D or 201, because when203 is closed by pressure 207 is opened and vice versa. As a result ofthis it is only one of the two purses of each expanding valve thatmoves, hence there is no question of one purse having to overcome theeffect of the other.

With such a construction either the top or bottom common wind-way of theexpanding valve may be used for the heavy wind, so that the additionalperforation (3 or 3e) in the music roll may cause a note to be eitheraccented or unaccented.

The heavy wind may be admitted in pulse form or continuously.

It is not essential that matters be so ordered that controlled noteperforations should have their controlling perforations immediately nextto them.

An arrangement in which the control perforation is situated at apredetermined distance away from the note perforation is equallypossible. A hole in the tracker bar for example, may cancel the playingproperties of a hole, not immediately next to it, but a given number ofholes removed from it.

The same hole would control the playing power of a hole the samedistance away from it on its other side.

It is to be noted that there is no change inthe construction of theapparatus, the diagonal grooves or branch tubes and the tubes to theselecting valves merely being suitably arranged.

It is to be understood that the invention covers the use of othersuitable types of valves both as striking pneumatic valves and selectorvalves.

Furthermore although for the sake of convenience I have spoken of apiano player, it is clear that this present invention is applicable toplayers of the organ type employing the double touch system and I willhave it understood that when I speak of piano players I intend toinclude also such players of the organ type.

Electro-pneumatic means or direct acting electrical means may be used.For example electrical means for controlling the valves. Two ways ofdoing this are now described.

Each hole in the tracker bar is connected by means of a tube in theusual manner to its cor- 125 responding purse in a purse rail.

Over the purses in the purse rail is situated a common wind chambercharged with exhaust tension, so that the purses will be inflated whentheir corresponding holes in the tracker bar are 130 exposed.

Within the common wind chamber, and over the purses, are placed electriccontacts, a set of three contacts being allotted to each purse.

It is the function of a purse when inflated to 135 actuate its set ofcontacts so that two of them are made and the remaining one broken.

It is to be understood that the contacts of a set work simultaneouslywhen the corresponding purse is inflated.

The contacts may be of any approved form, well known to the organbuilder, and the telephone engineer.

In Fig. 11 the contacts of each set are designated A, B, and C,respectively.

The notes of the piano starting from the bass upwards may be consideredas numbered 1, 2, 3, etc.

The selecting valves which open to admit exhaust tension to the strikingpneumatic valves 150 from a common wind way are designated by the letterP.

The striking pneumatic valves are designated by the letter S.

It is to be noted that the valves P and S may either be worked directlyby electro-magnets when no purses are used, or by electro-magnetsoperating their respective purses.

In the present case' we are going to assume that variant in which anaccented note is obtained by the placing of a control perforation in themusic roll next to the note perforation.

Assuming that the control perforations are to be placed on the immediateleft (i. e. bass) hand side of the note perforations, the notes of whichare `required to be accented.

In the position of rest A and Bare broken while C is made. Itis to beunderstood that A is in circuit with the magnet of S (i. e. in the caseof each note) it'is also in circuit (series) with the contact C of thenote next on the right or treble side of .the note corresponding to Aabove. This arrangement continues of course throughout the scale of thepiano.

In other words to use our numbers, the series of circuits for themagnets of S conform to the following tablezand so on to the top of thescale.

It may now be seen that each hole in the tracker bar operates its valveS, and so plays its note, provided only that the hole next on its rightis not exposed.

In short it may be said that when a pair of perforations in the musicroll occur adjacently, the perforation on the right cancels the noteplaying properties of the perforation on the left.

We now come to deal with the function of the contacts B.

These contacts are normally broken, furthermore their circuits are quiteseparate from the circuits of A and C.

It is the function of the contacts B, either directly byelectro-magnets, or indirectly by electro-magnets, (i. e. magnetsexposing purse controlling tubes) to so control the pallet valves P,that the exhaust tension supplying the correspondingvalves S will becontrolled.

It may now be said that the contacts B control the valves P notcorresponding to themselves, but corresponding to the notes next on theright of them.

The electric circuits of B, starting from the bottom of the scale andascending, are consequently as followstand so on to the topr of thescale.

, The resultant effect of the three contacts to each note will now beseen to be as follows; when two perforations in a music roll occursimultaneously, the perforation on the right will cancel the noteplaying powers of the perforation on the left, while the perforation onthe left will control the playing force of the note on the right. f

In the absence of an executive perforation the pallet kvalve of the noteplayed will not be actuated.

The music rolls are likewise treated in the same manner both forpneumatic and electropneumatic means.

The electropneumatic means may be employed for the chimney valve.

In this case as before the chimney valves may be controlled eitherdirectly by magnets, or indirectly by magnets which cause the pursetubes to be exposed.

Referring to Fig. l2, as before each note is fitted with three electriccontacts, furthermore the contacts A and C are of a very similar design,and are used for the same purpose.

There is however this difference, the circuit of the contacts A and Cdoes not in each case resolve into a striking pneumatic valve magnet Sas above, but goes through the contact B of the note next on the left,which is of modied design in this variant.

The contact B is here not of the ordinary make and break variety as usedabove, but is any well known type of two-Way change-over contact orswitch.

It has been said above that the circuit from A and C continues throughto a change-over contact B, hence, according to whether the said contactis in one position or another, so the circuit will resolve out throughone or the other of two leads, these both return each to its own magnet,these magnets being the pair necessary for the controlling of thechimney valve corresponding to the note in question i. e. the note nexton the right of the note to which the said contact B corresponds.

The magnets which operate the chimney valves will hereafter be called bythe letters Sa and Sb; it is to be assumed moreover that the magnets Sacontrol the lower or soft wind side of the chimney valves and that whenthe purses are at rest,

the contacts B complete their circuits through i to Sa, changing over toSb when the purses are inflated.

We may now follow the circuits which are as follows; A2-C3-B1-Sa2, or ifNo. 1 purse were raised B1 would find its conclusion in Sb2, work- 'r'ing from bass to treble we get:-

and so on to the top of the scale.

The effect of any two perforations in the music roll occurringsimultaneously is as follows:-

We will take for example the notes 2 and 3. The opening of the holecorresponding to 2 in the tracker-bar will first of all cause theiniiation of purse No. 2, while the opening of the hole 3 will cause thepurse No. 3 to be inflated.

Now normally it will be remembered that contacts A are broken whilecontacts C are made,

and that the contacts B are also made in one i B2 which is changed over,to the loud wind magnet Sb of chimney Valve or" note 3.

Hence hole 3 plays its note loudly as a result of the additionalexposure of hole 2. We have now to see how hole 2 is itself preventedfrom playing a note.

It will be easily seen that this is insured by the fact that the currentfrom A2 cannot get past C3 which is now broken.

Whenl an executive perforation is absent, it will be noted that a noteis played softly. Assuming that the note hole 2 is uncovered, thecircuit will be from A2, C3, B1 to Although in the constructionsillustrated and described the cancellation of the note playingproperties, etc., of a left-hand note have been referred to, it isobvious that a reversal can be made, that is Vto say a note-hole maycancel the note playing properties of a note-hole on the right hand, andthis latter note will modify the playing powers of the rst note-hole. Orthe perforations 3, 3a may be located on the right hand side of theholes 2, 2a.

With apparatus according to the present invention the advantage of beingable to play existing rolls on the instrument so equipped is not lost.

Any known forms of expression boxes and melody valves may beincorporated, although in the simple forms of the invention the degreeof exhaust is conveyed straight from the bellows to the chest.

What I claim is:-

1. In an automatic musical instrument of the kind referred to, thecombination with each note hole of a tracker bar of control meanscomprising a chamber with a valved communication leading to a pursechamber of a striking pneumatic valve of a note played by theco-operating tracker bar note hole, a second chamber leading to aselecting valve governing a striking pneumatic valve of another note, avalved communication between the second chamber and the rst strikingpneumatic valve, said chambers being common to the co-operating trackerbar note hole, and means for opening and closing said communicatingvalves, whereby a note hole when exposed by a perforation in a musicroll is capable of playing its own note, cancelling the playing power ofanother note hole, and changing over or altering the exhaust tensionwhich may be applied to the pneumatic of a note of a further note hole.

2. In an automatic musical instrument of the kind referred to, thecombination with each note hole of a tracker bar, of control meanscomprising a main chamber with a valved communication leading both to apurse chamber of a striking pneumatic valve of a note played by theco-opera-ting tracker bar note hole and a communicating valve chamber ofanother note hole, a second main chamber leading to a selecting valvegoverning a striking pneumatic valve of a further note, a valvedcommunication between the sec- 2 ond main chamber and the iirst strikingpneumatic valve, said main chambers being common to the co-operatingtracker bar note hole, and means for opening and closing said secondcommunicating valve, whereby a note hole when exposed by a perforationin a music roll is capable of playing its own note, cancelling theplaying power of another note hole, and changing over or altering theexhaust tension whichfmay be applied to the pneumatic of a note of afurther note hole.

3. An automatic musical instrument of the kind referred to, comprisingin combination a tracker bar, control means for each note hole in saidbar, so that a note hole when exposed by a perforation in a music rollis capable of playing its own note, cancelling the playing power ofanother note hole, and altering the exhaust tension which may be appliedto a pneumatic of a note of a. further note hole, a striking pneumaticvalve for each note, isolated chambers in which said valves are placed,a common Wind-way with which said isolated chambers communicate, andselection valves for opening up or shutting olf communication with saidcommon wind-way.

4. In an automatic musical instrument of the kind referred to, thecombination with each note hole of a tracker bar, of control meanscomprising a chamber with a valved communication leading to a pursechamber of a. striking pneumatic valve of a note played by theco-operating tracker bar note hole, and a communication leading fromsaid chamber to a selecting valve governing a striking pneumatic valveof another note, and means for opening and closing said communicatingvalve, whereby a note hole when exposed by a perforation in a music rollis capable of playing its own note, and changing over or altering theexhaust tension which may be applied to the pneumatic of a note of afurther note hole.

5. An automatic musical instrument according to claim 4 in which thenotes controlled are next to one another.

6. An automatic musical instrument according to claim 3, having meansfor maintaining a vacuum Ain the isolated chamber of the strikingpneumatic valve.

7. In an automatic musical instrument of the kind referred to, thecombination with each note hole of a tracker bar, of means which, on theuncoveringof a tracker bar note hole, is adapted to actuate a strikingpneumatic valve of a note allotted to said tracker bar note hole andfurther is adapted to actuate means to change over or alter the exhausttension applied to the striking pneumatic of another tracker bar notehole, and also cancel the playing power of still another tracker barnote hole.

8. In an automatic musical instrument of the kind referred to, thecombination with each note hole of a trackerbar, of electro-pneumaticmeans which, on the uncovering of a tracker bar note hole, is adapted toactuate a striking pneumatic valve of a note allotted to said trackerbar note hole and further is adapted to actuate means to change over oralter the exhaust tension applied to the striking pneumatic of anothertracker bar note hole, and also cancel the Vplaying power of stillanother tracker bar note hole. Y

9. In an automatic musical instrument of the kind referred to, thecombination with each note hole of a tracker bar of a set of electricalcontacts, means for actuating said set on the uncovering of the trackerbar note hole allotted thereto, each set of contacts being adapted tocontrol a striking pneumatic valve of a note allotted to said trackerbar note hole; change over or alter the exhaust tension applied to thestriking pneumatic of another tracker bar note hole, and also cancel theplaying power of still another tracker bar note hole;

10. In an automatic musical instrument of the kind referred to, thecombination with each note hole of a tracker bar of a set of electricalcontacts including a two-way change over' contact, means for actuatingsaid set on the uncovering hole of a tracker bar, of change-overmechanism effective on the uncovering of a tracker bar note hole toactuate a fluid actuated expanding valve so that the striking pneumaticsare subjected to different degrees of vacuum.

GORDON BUTLER ILES.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,966,798. July 17, 1934.

GORDON BUTLER ILES.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered paent requiring correetion as follows: In theheading to the printed specification, line 5, for the foreign filingdate "December 16, 1932" read December 16, 1931; and that the saidLetters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the sumemay conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 11th day of September, A. D. 1934.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,966,798. July i7, 1934.

GORDON BUTLER ILES.

It is hereby certified tirar' error appears in the printed specificationef the above numbered paeiit requiring entre-alien as follows; ln theheading t0 the printed specification, linel 5, for the foreign filingdate "December 16, 1932" read December 16, i931; and that the saidLetters Patent should be raz-ad with this eerrection therein thatthe'same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Sigxieri and sealed triis lith day 0f September, A. D. 1934.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

